Golf ball retriever



Aug. 6,1957 pyJ. McEvoy 5 2,801,875

' GOLF BALL. RETRIEVER i Filed Fb. .15, 1955 Parr/'ck J McEvoy* IN1/EN TOR.

United States Patent GOLF BALL RETRIEVER Patrick J. McEvoy, San Francisco, Calif.

Application February 15, 1955Serial No. 488,197

Claims; (Cl. 294-19) The present invention. relates to` new and useful improvements in golf ball retrievers for use particularly when practicing golf, and has for its primary object to provide, inY a manner as hereinafter` set forth, novel means for expeditiously picking upf balls without the necessity of bendingA over or stooping.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a retriever of the aforementioned character which is adapted to be readily mounted in position for use on the usual handle of any conventional golf club.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a golf ball retriever of the character described which comprises novel means for firmly but removably clamping the device in position on the club handle.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a golf 1oall retriever of the character set forth which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, light in weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is an elevational View, showing a golf ball retriever constructed in accordance with the present inavention in use;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a detail View in vertical section through the latch, taken substantially on the` line 5 5 of Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a modification.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, and to Figures l to 5, inclusive, thereof in particular, it will be seen that reference character 7 designates generally a tapered sleeve of suitable material. The sleeve 7, which comprises a lining 8 of suitable material, is adapted to be slipped on the free end portion of the usual handle 9 of a conventional golf club 10. The sleeve 7 includes a closed, substantially frusto-conical base portion 11.

The sleeve 7 further comprises a stationary section 12 and a complemental pivoted section 13 connected to said stationary section 12 by a hinge 14. The free end of the pivoted section 13 is adjustably and detachably connected to the stationary section 12 through the medium of a latch 15.

The latch 15 comprises a pair of ears 16 which project from the section 12. Extending between the ears 16 is a pin 17 (see Figure 5). A horizontally swinging, threaded bolt 18 is provided on one end with an eye 19 which is journaled on the pin 17 between the ears 16.

The bolt 18 is engageable between a pair of spaced lugs 2li which project from the free end portion of the ICC pivoted sleeve section 13. A hand operated knob 21 is adjustably mountedy on the free end portion of the bolt 18. The knob-21 is substantially conical and knurled to facilitate rotation thereof. Extending into the knob 21 from the small end thereof is a longitudinal bore or socket 22. The socket 22 accommodates the bolt 18. Fixed in the socket 22, adjacent the open end thereof, is a nut 23 which is threaded on the bolt 18. The bolt 18 terminates at its free end in a head 24 constituting a stop for preventing the knob 21 from being removed from said bolt. The knob 21 is engageable with the lugs 20 for clamping the sleeve 7 on the handle 9 of thel golf club. The adjacent portion of the sleeve section 13 is recessed to accommodate the knob 21.

Thefbase portion 11 of the sleeve 7 has formed in its upper portion a` slightly tapered recess or notch 25. The notch; 25 is for the reception of a slightly tapered lug .'26 which depends from the sleeve section 13 for strengthening or reinforcing: same and preventing undue strain on the hinge 14.

Fixed in any suitable manner beneath the base portion 11 of the sleeve 7 is a. metallic disk. 27. Formed integrally with the periphery o-f the disk 27 and depending therefrom is a plurality of resilient fingers 28 of substantially the shape shown. The fingers 28 terminate in outturned free end portions 29.

In use, the sleeve 7 is slipped on the club handle 9 and firmly secured by tightening the knob 21 on the pivoted sieeve section 13. The construction and arrangement, it will be observed, is such that the device may be readily mounted on substantially any handle, regardless of the size thereof. The lining 8 prevents damage to the handle wrapping. With the device in position on the club, the resilient fingers 28 may be readily engaged around a golf ball to be picked up, as shown at 30 in Figure l of the drawing. Of course, to remove the retriever from the club, it is only necessary to back the threadedly mounted knob 21 olf on the bolt 18 and disengage said bolt from between the lugs 20, thus permitting the hinged sleeve section 13 to be swung to open position.

In the modification of Figure 6 of the drawing, reference character 31 designates generally a tapered sleeve of fabric, leather or other suitable flexible material. The sleeve 31 includes a substantially frusto-conical base portion 32 having mounted therebeneath `a plurality of resilient tingers 33 which are substantially similar to the ingers The sleeve 31 is longitudinally split, as at 34, and circumferentially slotted at the point of juncture with the base portion 32, as at 35, in a manner to provide a pair of flexible flaps 36. Circumferentially extending straps 37 are mounted at an intermediate point on the fiaps 36 and project beyond the free ends thereof'. A suitable buckle 38 is provided for adjustably and detachably con necting the free end portions of the straps 37.

ln use, the split sleeve 31 is opened and slipped in an obvious manner on the handle 9 of the golf club 10. "jhrough the medium of the straps 37 and buckle 38, the iiexibie sleeve 31 is then contracted for firmly securing the device in position on the club handle.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

l. A golf ball retriever of the character described comprising: a longitudinally tapered sleeve adapted to be slipped on the handle of a golf club, said sleeve including a stationary section and a pivoted section hingedly mounted on said stationary section, said sleeve further including a reversely tapered base which constitutes a stop against which the outer end of the handle of the club is adapted to rest, a plurality of spaced, resilient ngers mounted on the base for receiving and gripping a golf ball therebetween, and means for clamping the sleeve on the handle.

2. A golf ball retriever of the character described comprising: a longitudinally tapered sleeve adapted to be slipped on the handle of a golf club, said sleeve including a stationary section and a pivoted section hingedly mounted on said stationary section, said sleeve further including a reversely tapered base, a plurality of spaced, resilient fingers mounted on the base for receiving and gripping a golf ball therebetween, and means for clamping the sleeve ou the handle, said means including a pair of spaced lugs on the free end portion of the pivoted section` a bolt mounted for swinging movement on the stationary section and insertable between the lugs, and a knob threadedly mounted on said bolt and engageable with the lugs for closing the sleeve on the handle.

3. A golf ball retriever of the character described comprising: a longitudinally split, tapered, flexible sleeve for mounting on the handle of a golf club, said sleeve including a reversely tapered base portion providing a seat on which the end of the handle is adapted to rest, a plurality of spaced, resilient ngers on said base portion for receiving and gripping a golf ball therebetween, and a strap and buckle device mounted circumferentially on the split sleeve for contracting and securing same on the handle.

4. The golf ball retriever of claim 2 together with interlocking means in said pivoted section and said reversely tapered base for aiding in holding said pivoted section irmly secured in the closed position.

5. The golf ball retriever of claim 1 together with means carried by said pivoted section and said tapered base for interlocking said pivoted section to said tapered base when said pivoted section is in the latched position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,658,145 Uyei Feb. 7, 1928 2,515,666 Rice July 18, 1950 2,523,942 Ciambriello Sept. 26, 1950 

